IDM Mailing Archive

Noah wrote:

quoted 3 lines ..so i recently bought the windowlicker video. not too much talk about this

> ..so i recently bought the windowlicker video. not too much talk about this > on list; is everyone scared to say what they think? :) i liked it.. >

well a bunch of us So Cal wierdos ate some acid this weekend and watched it, we had a fucking BLAST!!!! I want an umbrella just like that in the video (you know it rains sooo often here in So Cal anyway) that is a sick fucking video, my favorite ever, serious. gilly (my cheeks are still hurting from laughing sooo much- excellent video, music pretty good too!)

When I first heard this, I was going to post a negative review as many others have. Then I had a few beers and listened to it with a friend of mine in the room while we conversed on a variety of different topics, not excluding the opposite sex and "gettin' some". After that, I have become enlightened. Wow. This track is still AFX, traditional fuck-you demented melodic and rhythmic games with the listener and all, but it's practically romantic. This is what it sounds like when our favorite Cornish crackhead makes out, methinks. Ooh. Uurh. Grunt. Mmm. Aah! Ooh. etc... The beat doesn't grab one as well as AFX's history would have us expect, but that's not the point of this song. This song is romantic as hell, in the RDJ universe anyway. At first I was more enamored of the other two songs on the single, as many others seem to be, but now I just listen to Windowlicker over and over. Mmm...girlies... The beat here just throbs, it doesn't sling your neck back and forth or throw you into convulsions. The gentle/cheesy synth line doesn't make you braindance, it makes your tongue go in and out. The voices, at first annoying, now reveal themselves as just another weird AFX take on pop convention. My initial disappointment with this song was tempered by two things: One, that I got the single as a promo copy, for free, and Two, I have never been the type to instantly like whatever new direction an artist takes. It took me a year and a half to appreciate FSOL's ISDN, several months to get into Orbital's In Sides, and so forth... This is especially true with RDJ, since he flies off in all manner of directions every time he releases something new nowadays. I am glad that I was able to come around and appreciate this single,l especially within such a short time. So, to summarize: Not bad! In fact, it's excellent. Don't window-pitch the Windowlicker just because it isn't exactly what you were hoping for. Hell, it took me a week, you should give it at least a week as well. Try listening to it when extremely tired or partially inebriated. Trust me, it doesn't suck. Tom

The last Aphex record I bought was _I don't care and neither should you_, which I sold. (OK, I got the HAB 12"s and sold them for profit.) I have heard all or part of the releases since. After hearing the 3 Windowlicker tracks as MP3s, I picked up the EP. It seems like a -relatively- serious piece of work (this is RDJ we're talking about after all), well-executed, and finally doesn't sound like something he pulled out his ass. Frankly I'm a bit puzzled by the negative reviews. --Mark __ Burning Rome : SENSELESS CD on Mindfield Records MindCD03 Cathartium 14 > Distributed by Dutch East India Trading, Com Four, and Carrot Top < < http://www.xnet.com/~mkolmar/BurningRome > < MP3 & RealAudio tracks >

--- Mark Kolmar <mkolmar@xnet.com> wrote:

quoted 13 lines The last Aphex record I bought was _I don't care and

> The last Aphex record I bought was _I don't care and > neither should you_, > which I sold. (OK, I got the HAB 12"s and sold them > for profit.) I have > heard all or part of the releases since. After > hearing the 3 Windowlicker > tracks as MP3s, I picked up the EP. It seems like a > -relatively- serious > piece of work (this is RDJ we're talking about after > all), well-executed, > and finally doesn't sound like something he pulled > out his ass. Frankly > I'm a bit puzzled by the negative reviews.

I think the track Windowlicker is pretty weak, but it works well with the video. I really don't think this track has much of a track life to it. I think those that do like it, will grow bored of it pretty soon. Track 2 is just toss. Track 3 Nannou is a pretty nice track. I don't know if is worth buying for the one track. With all the time Aphex Twin has had since his last release...is this the best he could do? On another note, i just got some cds from Pitchcadet and they are really good. I'll post about them later, when I have more time. Cheers _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

Tom Millar <tmillar@utkux.utcc.utk.edu> wrote:

quoted 2 lines So, to summarize: Not bad!

>So, to summarize: Not bad! >In fact, it's excellent.

Have to back you up: I think it's a great (one of the best? don't know yet) rdj record too! I have practically all of his other tracks as well, and when I think of the stuff he's done in the past (including remix stuff) regarding technique & manipulation, rhythmic & melodic style, sonic jokes, atmosphere etc Windowlicker sounds like a logic evolutionary step in the afx-tradition. It's the record I was hoping for! E.

quoted 23 lines Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 14:46:46 -0800 (PST)

> Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 14:46:46 -0800 (PST) > From: Will Samuels <w_technoir@yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: (idm) Windowlicker > > - --- Mark Kolmar <mkolmar@xnet.com> wrote: > > The last Aphex record I bought was _I don't care and > > neither should you_, > > which I sold. (OK, I got the HAB 12"s and sold them > > for profit.) I have > > heard all or part of the releases since. After > > hearing the 3 Windowlicker > > tracks as MP3s, I picked up the EP. It seems like a > > -relatively- serious > > piece of work (this is RDJ we're talking about after > > all), well-executed, > > and finally doesn't sound like something he pulled > > out his ass. Frankly > > I'm a bit puzzled by the negative reviews. > > I think the track Windowlicker is pretty weak, but it > works well with the video. I really don't think this > track has much of a track life to it. I think those > that do like it, will grow bored of it pretty soon.

You know I don't think you have any right to tell someone else what they will or will not get bored of. I think that the Windowlicker track is one of the best aphex songs i've ever heard, and on of the better songs i've heard in a long time by an idm artist. I really don't see why it's getting such negative reviews. I expecting some boring track with really fast off the wall drum programming, and some goofy melody, but man this track has so much style. I'm glad he's mixing things up a but.

quoted 1 line Track 2 is just toss.

> Track 2 is just toss.

Track 2 is kinda what I thought the whole thing would sound like, but it's still an alright track. It's been done, but it seems like he put a bit more work into it than most of the tracks like this he does.

quoted 2 lines Track 3 Nannou is a pretty nice track. I don't know if

> Track 3 Nannou is a pretty nice track. I don't know if > is worth buying for the one track.

Nannou is quite nice, but Windowlicker owns it.

quoted 2 lines With all the time Aphex Twin has had since his last

> With all the time Aphex Twin has had since his last > release...is this the best he could do?

Well, that's just your opinion, and these are just mine, for all you know he spent a long fucking time, and thinks this is the best he could do, or not, either way it's good music and that is all that really matters. And I do that that this is the best he could do, and has done for quite some time. I think thta anyone who is a bit more open in their views of idm and music in general should give this a shot. -- Gwei-lo, clown prince of crime np: pfd- "revient a l'hopital" ____________________________________________________________________ Get free e-mail and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1

--- Joda Clement <gwei-lo@usa.net> wrote:

quoted 29 lines Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 14:46:46 -0800 (PST)

> > Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 14:46:46 -0800 (PST) > > From: Will Samuels <w_technoir@yahoo.com> > > Subject: Re: (idm) Windowlicker > > > > - --- Mark Kolmar <mkolmar@xnet.com> wrote: > > > The last Aphex record I bought was _I don't care > and > > > neither should you_, > > > which I sold. (OK, I got the HAB 12"s and sold > them > > > for profit.) I have > > > heard all or part of the releases since. After > > > hearing the 3 Windowlicker > > > tracks as MP3s, I picked up the EP. It seems > like a > > > -relatively- serious > > > piece of work (this is RDJ we're talking about > after > > > all), well-executed, > > > and finally doesn't sound like something he > pulled > > > out his ass. Frankly > > > I'm a bit puzzled by the negative reviews. > > > > I think the track Windowlicker is pretty weak, but > it > > works well with the video. I really don't think > this > > track has much of a track life to it. I think

those

quoted 1 line that do like it, will grow bored of it pretty

> > that do like it, will grow bored of it pretty

soon.

quoted 4 lines You know I don't think you have any right to tell

> > You know I don't think you have any right to tell > someone else what they will > or will not get bored of.

Hey switch to decaf already....:) God some of you Aphex loadies, can take even the slightest amount of criticism. Maybe you don't get bored of subpar stuff fast, but alot of us do. I already bored of the title track and I have only heard it three or four times. Sorry not impressed, ready to move on to fresher artists and material The only reason I don't chuck the cd in the bin is because the last track is pretty decent.

quoted 5 lines I think that the

> I think that the > Windowlicker track is one of the > best aphex songs i've ever heard, and on of the > better songs i've heard in a > long time by an idm artist.

Uh..ok. You really should get out more... and experience more music

quoted 2 lines I really don't see why it's getting such negative

> I really don't see why it's getting such negative > reviews.

It's getting the bad reviews because Aphex Twin was once one of the most important IDM artists that has turned to crap. If the Windowlicker 12" would have been made by someone unknown it probably would even get much attention at all. That is of course, it the artwork for the cover were different. How can you not notice that cover when you see it? But that's more Chris Cunningham's idea than Aphex's isn't it? I could be wrong.

quoted 5 lines I expecting some boring track with really

> I expecting some boring track with really > fast off the wall drum > programming, and some goofy melody, but man this > track has so much style. I'm > glad he's mixing things up a but.

I am glad that both Aphex and Squarepusher seem to be laying off the drill n bass stuff

quoted 3 lines Track 2 is just toss.

> > Track 2 is just toss. > > Track 2 is kinda what I thought the whole thing

would

quoted 2 lines sound like, but it's

> sound like, but it's > still an alright track. It's been done, but it

seems

quoted 3 lines like he put a bit more

> like he put a bit more > work into it than most of the tracks like this he > does.

Boring

quoted 1 line Track 3 Nannou is a pretty nice track. I don't

> > Track 3 Nannou is a pretty nice track. I don't

know

quoted 4 lines if

> if > > is worth buying for the one track. > > Nannou is quite nice, but Windowlicker owns it.

I stick to my original statement

quoted 1 line With all the time Aphex Twin has had since his

> > With all the time Aphex Twin has had since his

last

quoted 8 lines release...is this the best he could do?

> > release...is this the best he could do? > > Well, that's just your opinion, and these are just > mine, for all you know he > spent a long fucking time, and thinks this is the > best he could do, or not, > either way it's good music and that is all that > really matters.

If that is the best he could do, then he should retire. You think it's good. I think 1/3 of the ep is only pretty good, not exceptional.

quoted 4 lines And I do that that this is the best he could do, and

> And I do that that this is the best he could do, and > has done for quite some time. I think thta anyone > who is a bit more open in their views of idm and > music in general should give this a shot.

If by open... you mean liking anything put in front of me. Fuck that! Listen before you buy. _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

Hey, can we PLEASE stop acting like our subjective interpretation of a record's quality is law? This goes for both sides of the debate here. 1: AFX is GREAT!!! 2: No, you idiot, it's obvious he's stopped doing anything worthwhile. The guy sucks eggs. 3: You are a jerk. This is the best AFX ever. 2: See, you must be retarded, because this record is mediocre at best. For the record, I agree with Joda. Windowlicker owns the single, and it's pretty damn good too. Tom

quoted 3 lines If the Windowlicker 12" would have been made by someone

> If the Windowlicker 12" would have been made by someone > unknown it probably would even get much attention at > all.

Attention from whom? The Record Buying Public? Who cares? All I know is that this is an EP of interesting electronic music. Can't understand why people seem to be flocking to 'nannou' as the standout tho... Title track retains the melodic warmth of 'alberto balsam' (venture to say the most uniformly enjoyed aphex track?) but textures it well, like ae at their peak moments (i.e., *not* including every last completist's Rob & Sean tandem post-vindaloo air-biscuit launch fobbed off as exotic 12/71 time signature).

quoted 2 lines That is of course, it the artwork for the cover

> That is of course, it the artwork for the cover > were different.

A liability for some -- the video/artwork is clever but annoying, too smugly self conscious and straightforwardly (or crassly) promotional in its effrontery. As for Chris Cunningham, it looks like he's making progress with the new Bjork video, returning to his '2nd bad vilbel' video vibe in a fresh way. If this were an EP that I heard anonymously, I'd buy it. I like the music. That it's Aphex bloody Twin doesn't really mean anything, does it? Well, except for a certain R.D. James, who can now afford to give his bank-residence a fresh coat of paint, as well as for those who derive way too much personal identity from being True Fans/Connoisseurs of such-and-such or so-and-so. Upshot? The wife likes it too, without knowing who it is. And she's not one of those 'ick, techno' Mariah Carey-swilling girly-girls, she is, in a nonchalant sort of way, a more hardcore IDMer than any five listmembers combined, killing time on a rainy sunday by coming up with fresh mixes of Merzbow with Nyman and Mantronik. (OK, maybe any 2 listmembers combined, considering the presence of Gonzi, Kid606 and Bauri ;)

quoted 1 line signifieroversignifiedsigningoff

>>signifieroversignifiedsigningoff

quoted 3 lines If the Windowlicker 12" would have been made by someone

>> If the Windowlicker 12" would have been made by someone >> unknown it probably would even get much attention at >> all.

quoted 2 lines If this were an EP that I heard anonymously, I'd buy it. I like the

>If this were an EP that I heard anonymously, I'd buy it. I like the >music.

Completely agree. Track two (that %$^%$#^ equation) completely rules. As does Nannou, for completely different reasons each, of course. Fuck the cult of personality, all that tank/bank/invention mess. The guy makes stellar tracks, keeps technologically informed, has keen melodic sensibilities, and uses great SOUNDS. Closest we'll have to perfection for a long time. And he's on a godamm major here in the US (in fact, he's solely responsible for keeping SIRE in business this quarter). Yr collective nitpicking is getting a bit petty. Be excited about somtehing for once... -Våt np- Pomassl/Eshun - Architectronics (Construction Sounds) - Craft ____________________ Reckankreuzungsklankewerkzeuge PO BOX 382864. Cambridge, MA 02238 http://www.tiac.net/users/sheket/index.html

quoted 3 lines sensibilities, and uses great SOUNDS. Closest we'll have to perfection for

> sensibilities, and uses great SOUNDS. Closest we'll have to perfection for > a long time. And he's on a godamm major here in the US (in fact, he's > solely responsible for keeping SIRE in business this quarter). Yr

I love ya guy, but huh? I mean, Sire may not be putting out much, but they probably aren't hurting for cash or anything. Other notable record out on Sire I can think of this quarter would be the new Sebadoh...

quoted 7 lines sensibilities, and uses great SOUNDS. Closest we'll have to perfection for

>> sensibilities, and uses great SOUNDS. Closest we'll have to perfection for >> a long time. And he's on a godamm major here in the US (in fact, he's >> solely responsible for keeping SIRE in business this quarter). Yr > >I love ya guy, but huh? I mean, Sire may not be putting out much, but they >probably aren't hurting for cash or anything. Other notable record out on >Sire I can think of this quarter would be the new Sebadoh...

Not following the trades it seems. ALL majors are doing bad (thank fucking god for that). Sire is especially slumming. Read any of the last 20 or so issues of Billboard & see what I'm talking about. Believe me, there's not a single tear shed for anyone who's lost their job over the last few months as a result of the big 6 to big 5 shift. Geffen is now completely defunct. Interscope swallowed up half of the lucrative big labels. The Aphex Twin thing seems like a joke, but Sire seems to think that his upcoming full length will tie their financial bindings. Sebadoh was Sub Pop's last great white hope (after miserable Jesus & Mary Chain/St. Etienne sales), they're pretty much goners. If that thing doesn't pick up mighty quick, they're going to owe Sire a lot of money, and Sire is going to owe Time Warner a lot of money... -Våt np- Bogdan Raczynski - Boku Mo Wakaran (Rephlex).... who the hell is THIS guy? Played it for like 8 hours straight to & back from NYC. Unstoppable, like a truck of fire... ____________________ Reckankreuzungsklankewerkzeuge PO BOX 382864. Cambridge, MA 02238 http://www.tiac.net/users/sheket/index.html

quoted 5 lines Not following the trades it seems. ALL majors are doing bad (thank fucking

>Not following the trades it seems. ALL majors are doing bad (thank fucking >god for that). Sire is especially slumming. Read any of the last 20 or so >issues of Billboard & see what I'm talking about. Believe me, there's not a >single tear shed for anyone who's lost their job over the last few months >as a result of the big 6 to big 5 shift. Geffen is now completely defunct.

/me doesn't shed a tear

quoted 3 lines Interscope swallowed up half of the lucrative big labels. The Aphex Twin

>Interscope swallowed up half of the lucrative big labels. The Aphex Twin >thing seems like a joke, but Sire seems to think that his upcoming full >length will tie their financial bindings.

heh! Wow, if that's even close to being true, that's really scary. US sales of SAW2 were anemic and RDJ album wasn't much better. Anyway, I'll add to the chorus of voices saying that Nannou is the stand out track. It's a delicate and musical track that isn't trying to challenge your fundamental beliefs about music. At the same time, it's kind of experimental. Persoanlly, I like the sounds used in this track more than anything in WL. So, what's the release schedual look like for the full length? dan.....

I have to disagree about the sounds part. I think Little Miss Trinitron already pointed this out, but really, sit down and play with Metasynth and/or any of the wacky plug ins that you can get fro Cubase/Pro Tools, and I think you'll find AFX's sound selection is less than stellar; in fact to hear my ears, it sounds a lot like a bunch of gratuitous DSP trickery. I don't think the tracks are as bad as some are saying, or as good as some are saying. But compared to previous work, IMHO this is Mr. James at most most 'blasse'. I sincerely think he's lost the magic, he's crossing over that threshold from musician to star/performer. Moreso than the music, he's asking us to buy into his madness which some of us may, and some of us may not... peace Nate

quoted 4 lines sensibilities, and uses great SOUNDS. Closest we'll have to perfection for

> > sensibilities, and uses great SOUNDS. Closest we'll have to perfection for > > a long time. And he's on a godamm major here in the US (in fact, he's > > solely responsible for keeping SIRE in business this quarter). Yr >

--- "Nate Harrison [Toshok Laboratories]" <nate@toshoklabs.com> wrote:

quoted 6 lines I have to disagree about the sounds part. I think

> > I have to disagree about the sounds part. I think > Little Miss Trinitron > already pointed this out, but really, sit down and > play with Metasynth > and/or any of the wacky plug ins that you can get

fro

quoted 2 lines Cubase/Pro Tools,

> Cubase/Pro Tools, > and I think you'll find AFX's sound selection is

less

quoted 2 lines than stellar; in

> than stellar; in > fact to hear my ears, it sounds a lot like a bunch

of

quoted 2 lines gratuitous DSP

> gratuitous DSP > trickery. I don't think the tracks are as bad as

some

quoted 10 lines are saying, or as

> are saying, or as > good as some are saying. But compared to previous > work, IMHO this is Mr. > James at most most 'blasse'. I sincerely think he's > lost the magic, he's > crossing over that threshold from musician to > star/performer. Moreso than > the music, he's asking us to buy into his madness > which some of us may, > and some of us may not...

{Sorry for the one-liner posts} But, I totally agree with Nate _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com